13 killed in violence ahead of Karachi by-polls

ISLAMABAD - At least 13 people were killed and 40 injured in various incidents of violence hours ahead of the by-poll being held for an assembly seat in Karachi, capital of Pakistan’s Sindh province, Sunday.

Most of the killings are believed to be the result of political enmity between Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Awami National Party (ANP), both contesting in the by-election for PS-94 assembly seat.

ANP Sindh chief Shahi Syed addressed a press conference Saturday evening and announced to “boycott the polls in protest”. “The provincial government has failed to control the law and order and we don’t think it is advisable to go to polls in such an environment”, he argued.

MQM central leader Wasim Aftab said that “PS-94 seat belonged to MQM as our candidates have been winning from there with thumping majority”. “ANP wanted to run away from the contest fearing defeat and are raising a storm in a tea-cup”, he remarked.

Soon after such fiery statements, clashes broke out in various parts of the city and supporters of both parties resorted to indiscriminate firing in a bid to take control ahead of the polling.

Both the ANP and MQM have been battling for political supremacy over Karachi for the last several years and over 1,800 people have lost their lives in countless incidents of target killing in the last decade or so.

A mob torched two vehicles Saturday night and markets started closing early due to the deteriorating law and order situation. The city roads wore a deserted look and the turn-out in Sunday’s polling is also expected to remain thin.

The by-poll is being held at the provincial assembly seat vacated after the murder of MQM legislator Raza Haider in July this year. MQM had alleged that ANP was behind the murder. More than 100 people were killed in the aftermath of his killing within a fortnight.

Police officer Fayyaz Leghari said that three people had been arrested for firing gunshots in orangi town and raiding parties had been deputed in sensitive areas to track down the miscreants.

Earlier, the spokesman of Sindh Rangers said that “firing and suicide attack is feared on the polling day”. Sindh government has called in rangers to maintain law and order. However, ANP’s demand to depute army for election duty was denied.

Despite violence and terrorism threats, election commission said that “the polling will go ahead as scheduled”. “Since no candidate has withdrawn his papers, legally the polling has to take place”, said the EC spokesman.

(Awais Saleem can be contacted at ians.pakistan@gmail.com)